I asked the Lord That I Might Grow

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once Hed answer my request;
And by His loves constraining powr,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powrs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou mayst find thy all in Me.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/a/iaskedtl.htm

A sermon on the subject by Don Fortner can be found here: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=614092114610

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• don fortner
• free grace
• gospel
• calvinism
• john newton
• devotional
• hymns
• gospel standard baptist

[henley31]

I really appreciate the depth and honesty of John Newton. His grasp of the Scriptures was so practical!

[oldsoulify]

Thank you henley31 for commenting.  If you enjoy John Newton you may also enjoy the poetry of Joseph Hart. They both write in a very warm and experiential manner and can be found in Gadsby's Hymns.